How should I go about listing my hobbies on my Common App? Is it even worth mentioning them, or should I just stick to traditional extracurriculars? Hoping someone can give me some insight so I can represent my interests appropriately.
Absolutely, listing your hobbies on the Common App can be a valuable addition to your application, as long as you present them thoughtfully! When admissions officers review your materials, they're looking not only at your academic and extracurricular achievements but also at who you are as a person. Your interests and pastimes provide a fuller picture of your character, which can significantly enhance your application.
The Activities section is where you can include hobbies that have been a meaningful part of your high school experience. It's important to be strategic about how you list them; treat your hobbies like any other extracurricular activity by highlighting your commitment, any leadership roles, and the skills or personal growth you've gained from them. If you've dedicated significant time to a hobby or achieved a level of distinction or leadership in it, it's worth including. For example, if you've been teaching yourself a programming language and have developed an app or a game, that's an impressive endeavor that demonstrates self-initiative, passion for learning, and technical skills.
When describing your hobbies, be specific about what you do and why it's important to you. Avoid general statements like 'reading books,' and instead, provide details such as 'Organized a community book club focusing on 20th-century American literature, which improved my analytical skills and fostered a local network of literary enthusiasts.'
Also, consider if your hobbies can be grouped with any existing extracurriculars to form a more powerful activity entry. For instance, if you're a member of the school band and also compose your own music, you might combine these into one entry that showcases your overarching passion for music.
In short, think about what your hobbies say about you and how they can add depth to your application profile. With careful consideration and clear, descriptive entries, your hobbies can significantly bolster your application.
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